Email

At least 26 people, including nine policemen, were killed while 58 others were injured in a bombing attack near the Arfa Karim IT Tower on Lahore's Ferozepur Road on Monday afternoon.

Lahore's DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said that the blast, which occurred at around 3:55pm, was a "suicide attack" and that “police were the target”. The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility, stating that a "suicide attacker" had used a motorcycle bomb to target police officials.

A CTD spokesperson confirmed that nine policemen were killed in the blast. The injured included at least six policemen.

Rescue 1122 teams shifted the injured to nearby hospitals, where an emergency had been imposed.

Punjab government spokesperson Malik Mohammad Ahmed said the attack had occurred at an old vegetable market in the Kot Lakhpat neighbourhood in Lahore. The area is a busy locality and the office of the Punjab chief minister is located nearby.

Another police officer, Kashif Aslam, said the bombing targeted policemen who were providing security for the Lahore Development Authority, which was involved in demolition work targetting encroachments nearby. Anti-riot police had been deployed for the activity.

Police and other law enforcement personnel had reached the site of the incident soon after the bombing and cordoned off the area. Forensics teams had also collected evidence from the blast site to determine the nature of the explosion.

Condolences pour in

Condolences poured in following the blast. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa and others expressed their grief over the loss of lives in the attack.

Lahore has been targetted by terrorists in recent months.

Another blast, targeting a census team in April, had resulted in the deaths of six people, including five forces personnel.

A suicide blast on February 13 had ripped through a camp of protesting chemists in front of the Punjab Assembly, leaving 13 people dead and 70 others wounded.

Last year, in a terrorist attack in Iqbal Park targeting those celebrating Easter, 72 people had died and over 300 had been injured.

Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah, while talking to the media after Monday's attack, said that the incumbent government has overcome the menace of terrorism by "70 to 80 per cent".

"We have started an operation against terrorist organisations and the situation is much better as compared to what it was in 2011-12," Sanaullah added.

Scenes from the attack

security officials inspect a destroyed vehicle after an explosion in Lahore.—AFP

Comments (118) Closed

God help us. The nation is busy bringing down the gov. and terrorists have been left alone. Terrorism should be our first priority but... May god help us.

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Amir

Jul 24, 2017 04:37pm

when will we completely eliminate terrorism from Pakistan.

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Pakhtoon

Jul 24, 2017 04:40pm

sad to hear that... hope for no human life loss

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Reality

Jul 24, 2017 04:49pm

Death toll rising. Inna lillahi... Sad. Nation needs to wake up to terrorism instead of dragging each other's legs. My commissirations to the affected families.

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Logic

Jul 24, 2017 05:00pm

@Truth Terrorists are acting freely because of inefficient govt. This lamb duck govt has to go.

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irfan shamim farooqui

Jul 24, 2017 05:00pm

Oh!!! not again.

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Irfan_Sydney

Jul 24, 2017 05:06pm

May God give the strength to the people who have lost their loved ones. May the departed souls rest in peace.

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Muhammad Iqbal

Jul 24, 2017 05:07pm

Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims.

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Azmeen

Jul 24, 2017 05:09pm

In Pak the most important task of opposition remains to bring down elected government through hook or crook. Who cares about terrorism?

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Love Your Country

Jul 24, 2017 05:11pm

@Amir - this problem is not going to go away till we correct ourselves and become internally strong. The enemy saw that the infighting is at its peak, so they found an opportunity to create more mess.

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Gajni

Jul 24, 2017 05:15pm

Is this to accommodate Ch. Nisar press conference...

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Parag

Jul 24, 2017 05:15pm

@Adnan Sadiq No Value for Human Life.. You are counting Coffins.. No Major Loss ?? What do you mean?? One Life means One Family.. A Dead can be sole bread earner of Family..

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ABE

Jul 24, 2017 05:20pm

This is NS' country, his home town. Yet he talks about Naya Pakistan. This is not the Pakistan we want.

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Changez Khan

Jul 24, 2017 05:23pm

These Damn Evil Terrorists.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Jul 24, 2017 05:24pm

In my opinion, our internal and external enemies took advantage of our current political crisis to divert our attention elsewhere. And, this will suit Nawaz Sharif, and he will take full advantage to hide his corrupt and criminal practices. This is another coincidence, whenever, NS is in trouble, we have such incidents!

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Reality

Jul 24, 2017 05:27pm

@Logic I seriously disagree with you. Perhaps you have forgotten Ik's request to hold dialogue with talibans instead of operation against them when zarb e azb was launched. He was the one to suggest an office for taliban in the country.

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Irfan_Sydney

Jul 24, 2017 05:29pm

Now PTI supporters will be writing on social media that the bomb blast took place to distract people from Panama case.

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Real truth

Jul 24, 2017 05:29pm

@ABE sorry, this is the home of IK also. NS legs are being pulled.

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naim

Jul 24, 2017 05:31pm

Again? Intractable! Network still intact and busy calmly doing its work. Why is our own secret security set-up not doing anything to preempt this scourge?

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Raheel

Jul 24, 2017 05:31pm

Govt is busy allying with terrorists groups and blaming army for Panama leaks.. connect the dots and our neighbors are involved

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Batool

Jul 24, 2017 05:36pm

@Truth the nation is busy bringing down the government and the govt. is doing what it does best to distract the nation.

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krishan

Jul 24, 2017 05:38pm

Very sad to see innocent bread earners loose their lives
So many shattered families

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HUSSAIN2

Jul 24, 2017 05:40pm

Government is busy in saving their self by using lives of innocent people,
the timing of this blast is questionable, whereeva govt insecure this happens to divert the nation

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Shyam Kokku

Jul 24, 2017 05:41pm

Terrible news; may God be with the effected families!

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Wonderful

Jul 24, 2017 05:42pm

@Raheel conspiracy theories?

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Gajni

Jul 24, 2017 05:43pm

Crime scene has been washed away along with any evidence which would have helped to investigate. no evidence no case wah Show Baz Sharif ...

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Vinod Narang

Jul 24, 2017 05:44pm

When is this going to end. Loss of innocent lives. Prayers for the families of the injured and departed. Today my heart bleeds again.

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mallik

Jul 24, 2017 05:48pm

Man...Its horrible things are happening!!!!

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Jamil

Jul 24, 2017 05:50pm

@Amir When a truly representative government with the real mandate of the people of Pakistan comes in power.

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Shriram

Jul 24, 2017 05:54pm

@Adnan Sadiq 25 people dead. May all of them rest at in peace.We all know what is death mean.But we feels its terror when our closed one is lost. specially if death is in our family

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D.M NAPAR

Jul 24, 2017 05:54pm

Enough,enough,enough!Will we ever stop burying the hapless citizens???Why not bury once for all the ones who are free to kill as many people as they wish and wherever they want in the country???

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Shriram

Jul 24, 2017 05:56pm

Death of innocent live for any motive should not be tolerated. How come the country as hole accepting the young people dying as collateral damage.....

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indian

Jul 24, 2017 06:01pm

So sad condolences fro india

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My_View_Indian_HINDU

Jul 24, 2017 06:01pm

Not again please.....Sad for Pakistani brothers...

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Shahzada

Jul 24, 2017 06:02pm

"We have started the operation against terrorist organisations and the situation is much better as compared to what it was 2011-12 - Sanaullah" At least have the decency to say 'I am sorry for your loss poor families'. How apathetic this man is!

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Vasan

Jul 24, 2017 06:03pm

Condolances from across the border. Terrorism is a common enemy. Sad for the families list their loved ones.

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Sharma

Jul 24, 2017 06:05pm

This is the result of good terrorism and bad terrorism policy of government. Very sad incident RIP

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Roshansingh Batra

Jul 24, 2017 06:06pm

This seems to be reaction on what's happened in Afghanistan just a couple of days ago

But tragic one. Very very sad.

No has right to hold human life for their political purposes.

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Aftab Ahmed

Jul 24, 2017 06:09pm

Need Eliminate Terrorism from Pakistan

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kanas_adam

Jul 24, 2017 06:10pm

Could this be to divert attention from panama scandal.

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Monsieur

Jul 24, 2017 06:10pm

@Adnan Sadiq 25 killed ......... do you really think that is not a 'major' loss ???? even one life is a major loss

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Monsieur

Jul 24, 2017 06:12pm

@Logic stop blaming an inefficient Government ............... the Army should be exercising their effectiveness in keeping the the citizens of Pakistan safe

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Jamal

Jul 24, 2017 06:18pm

Horrible and gut wrenching. How many souls have to be lost like this?

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javeed

Jul 24, 2017 06:22pm

Highly Condemnable! May the deceased rest in peace! May the People of Pakistan get to that day when no more innocents get killed....

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nasir s.

Jul 24, 2017 06:25pm

Just another bomb blast in the long list. Time to bury the dead, visit the injured in the hospitals, discuss in media for a day and then everything will be back to normal tomorrow. Politicians will read and tweet their well rehearsed one liners all day. Nothing will change on the ground and all will be forgotten until next time.

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Wake up

Jul 24, 2017 06:26pm

@kanas_adam no. This is the result of Panama drama. Energies are being spent on wrong priorities.

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Shiv Gautam

Jul 24, 2017 06:26pm

Rip innocent lives, I can only imagine what their families must be going through.

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Babu

Jul 24, 2017 06:26pm

@Adnan Sadiq - Is it not a major loss for you? What do you mean by Major loss? RIP the lost ones.

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anir

Jul 24, 2017 06:27pm

@Truth Wish what you said was listened earlier.

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Zab

Jul 24, 2017 06:33pm

Condolences to the families. Pain of loss for those families for today and for all times to come can't be explained. APS attack was to divert from IK dharna and this one to divert from JIT.

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CHACHA

Jul 24, 2017 06:34pm

Very very sad, In Na Lila-hi Wa Ina Ilahi Rajayoon. When this is going to end? We need change from top to bottom.

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Ravana

Jul 24, 2017 06:35pm

R.I.P

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326

Jul 24, 2017 06:38pm

@Amir when we will get rid of these thugs and money loving ppl in out govt

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khabboo

Jul 24, 2017 06:39pm

@Truth - They haven't been left alone at all. There are different things happening every day. Some being caught, others getting through.

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Jay

Jul 24, 2017 06:41pm

This is bound to happen if we play this double game. There are not good or bad terrorrists. They are simply bad !!

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Zephyr

Jul 24, 2017 06:59pm

Condolences to our brothers and sisters across the border. Innocent lives lost each time . Let no one divide people , unite and fight this evil of terrorism.

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Muhammad Imran Qureshi

Jul 24, 2017 07:05pm

May all dead bodies rest in the paradise. We should take the tenacious footstep for obturatoring the terrorism for the wellness of our country and nation as well but one thing is that, ''caution is the parent of safety''.

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Monsieur

Jul 24, 2017 07:06pm

If the causes and problems are not being identified by the various Government and security organisations; no solution will ever be found

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R.Azhar

Jul 24, 2017 07:16pm

Lahore hit again. Very tragic indeed. And our stupid provincial law minister didn't have the decency to refrain from making silly remarks against political rivals on this extremely painful occasion.

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Blue Knight

Jul 24, 2017 07:33pm

Very sad. RIP poor victims..

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Ram parkash sharma

Jul 24, 2017 07:38pm

Extremely sad to know about the dastardly act.Heart-felt condolences to the grieved families who have lost their dear ones.loss of innocent human lives is highly painful. May the injured ones recover soon.

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Rp

Jul 24, 2017 07:43pm

very sad.. RIP..

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Dilip

Jul 24, 2017 08:02pm

My heart goes out to the innocent victims. My roommate, and one of my closest friends in graduate school in the US, is from Lahore. I pray that he and his family are safe.

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Jah

Jul 24, 2017 08:13pm

@Amir never!!!

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Mrityunjay Tripathi

Jul 24, 2017 08:16pm

@Parag Please don't get ballistic on this. This is still a developing story. Adnan is the first person to comment. When he commented, news of casualties might not have come.
May God help those who lost their loved ones in the attack.. May the departed souls rest in peace.

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Muhammad Arshad

Jul 24, 2017 08:18pm

Sad incident

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Ayesha

Jul 24, 2017 08:27pm

This incapable govt cant protect its citizens.They need to go

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ghafoo

Jul 24, 2017 08:27pm

@Adnan Sadiq what do you mean by major loss

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IndianSaudi

Jul 24, 2017 08:30pm

My deepest sympathies go out to the dead and injured and their families.
This cowards should be completely eliminated from the world.

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Proud indian

Jul 24, 2017 08:44pm

Condolences from India. RIP Innocent souls

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JAVED RAHMAN

Jul 24, 2017 09:14pm

@Amir when we will sincerely work to eliminate this menace

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Asif A Shah

Jul 24, 2017 09:21pm

My condolences for the victims and their families.The public should remain vigilant against those who engage in this kind of violence.

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alla bux

Jul 24, 2017 09:25pm

May the poor souls rest in peace.

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Ashraf

Jul 24, 2017 09:53pm

Very sad. Half hearted measures could not succeed in defeating very organised enemy. Only the rhetoric that we are in state of war won't work. The government needs to hold accountable every security agency responsible for counter terrorism measures. It is the time we all must condemn the actual enemy in strongest words for today's similar acts of terrorism in Lahore, Karachi and Quetta.

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BALJEET singh sandhu

Jul 24, 2017 10:09pm

Sad very sad.

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Indian logic

Jul 24, 2017 10:10pm

very sad news,whats the point of killing innocent public. Condolence to the family

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Zee

Jul 24, 2017 10:18pm

@Amir when you eliminate incompetence and corrouption . when you start defending and acknowledging the rights of those with whom you don't sure beliefs and views with.

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murali

Jul 24, 2017 10:26pm

So sad so tragic.Why do these incidents keep recurring in Pakistan ? It is the innocents who get killed.

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vb India

Jul 24, 2017 10:55pm

Absolutely pointless killing of innocents. Condolences to the families of bereaved. People should demand full accountability from Govt. Transparency is needed in investigation.

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Zafar

Jul 24, 2017 11:39pm

My sympathies are with the victims and their families. The Provincial Law minister Sanaullah is a complete failure. He should do the honorable thing and resign.

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ARsLAN

Jul 25, 2017 01:01am

I used to live near Arfa Tower and this is unbelievable and unacceptable. How can we secure Pakistan if we cant secure Lahore where the idea of Pakistan was born? The N leauge has been in power since 2013 why have core cities and population centers not been secured?

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Qaisar

Jul 25, 2017 01:45am

@Truth this is just due to this corrupt and ineligible Govt.

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Swastik

Jul 25, 2017 02:02am

Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims :-( ...from India

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Mohammad

Jul 25, 2017 02:10am

@Adnan Sadiq one life is a major loss . .

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Iwbal

Jul 25, 2017 02:20am

Plz stopt this for God seak we are human also 。Rip

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KP

Jul 25, 2017 02:56am

Fail to understand what is achieved by killing the innocents! The poor souls, RIP!

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Uday kulkarni

Jul 25, 2017 03:02am

@Mrityunjay Tripathi - Before I respond to you; firstly, my heartfelt condolences to the innocent victims who were killed and injured. RIP.
Coming to your point, I do see your realistic and so correct response & approach in pointing out that Adnan was the 1st to respond on a developing story & the # of killed victims may not have been released when he commented. His comments were made 10 hours ago when it would have been around 5.00 pm Pakistan time . The horrible incident occurred at 3.55 pm Pakistan time as reported in the article. Makes sense in what you pointed out.

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Patel. LA.. USA

Jul 25, 2017 03:15am

Very sad inocent people get killed. Terrorism needs to be wiped out from this planet. Your govt. needs to take action against all terror outfits there is no such thing as good and bad terrorism.

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white noise

Jul 25, 2017 04:39am

This Govt needs to go, the only thing they are good at is corruption and a whole lot of it.

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MG- Washington

Jul 25, 2017 05:04am

@Aftab Ahmed How?

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Amer Rao

Jul 25, 2017 05:09am

Pakistan is the only country in the world, where MBBS doctors are in the Police services. What do you expect after that? Just look at this Dawn's report, where DIG is doctor too. In all developed countries, people chose their professions, because of their passion not for status. This is exactly why we are not getting quality services from these police officers.You cannot get the best results from them. During the JIT investigation days, the public noticed how our politicians do not have a clear vision for our country.We need a big change in our governments. Our youth need HOPE, and our government is failing to deliver.

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Ali

Jul 25, 2017 05:32am

@Logic
Blaming the government for every situation is not appropriate. Let's leave your politics aside.

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Anand Nirgun

Jul 25, 2017 06:33am

What a tragedy.. innocents are being killed .., pray almighty to crush all the terrorists..
Peace and solace from India

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AW

Jul 25, 2017 06:54am

The government has repeatedly failed in its basic duty which demands protection of lives of its citizens. Any government which fails in its basic duty has no right to remain. The PM and his interior minister should have resigned long time ago. Those entrusted with provision of security should be fired because continuing terror attacks are proof of their incompetence

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SJ

Jul 25, 2017 07:00am

When will Pak realize its folly in Afghanistan. One explosion in Af and it is reciprocated with an incident involving loss of lives in Pak. Ab to samajh jao kya kar rahe ho.

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Ayub

Jul 25, 2017 07:02am

The killing of innocent people is very shocking. We share the grief with the bereaved families.

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Wonderful

Jul 25, 2017 07:17am

This is complete failures on part of security agencies, having allotted so much from federal budget , all the doing is providing security to Chines, and when ask come up with some made up number of SUSPECTED terrorists.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Jul 25, 2017 07:20am

There are reports indicating that our intelligence agencies warned Punjab government about the possible suicide attacks in Lahore. But, as usual, Punjab government (Shabaz Sharif and his cronies) ignored this waning, as they were all busy in defending Nawaz Sharif from possible disqualification and prison sentence. Shame on NS and SS, I make them and his cronies like Ch Nisar, Rana Sanaullah and Sad Rafiq, etc responsible for this terrible incident and not acting on intelligence warnings.

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Sk

Jul 25, 2017 07:41am

This Parachinar- Lahore sequel should stop.

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Zaki

Jul 25, 2017 08:12am

Its easy to blame nawaz, but security is supervised by men in uniform, unless people of pakistan has right to question them, show will go on.

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Farrukh

Jul 25, 2017 08:16am

@Azmeen what are you trying to say? It's governments job to protect their people not the opposition's. It should quit if it can't do that.

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LOL Pakistan!

Jul 25, 2017 08:28am

Condolences dear Pakistanis! especially to the loved ones. No one should have to die like this. I always wonder when will there be peace on this planet?

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Faizan Tariq

Jul 25, 2017 08:35am

This will continue unless we shut Extremism permanently. With madrasss churning out extremists this will. Never stop. The corrupt ate busy making money

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Peace

Jul 25, 2017 08:50am

Innocent people suffering at a cost of incompetent system and fanaticism
Very Sad at loss of life, the blame game will begin

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skumar

Jul 25, 2017 09:11am

@nasir s. do not lose hope. even we thought same , some years back , but now strong security and action by govt, people's vigilance - has greatly reduced such terror. Hence , Strong action in your country from both common people and govt also , will definitely lead to a peaceful environment. Innocent lives should be protected at any cost . This should not happen again .. heartfelt condolences to the families and RIP departed souls. from india .

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GOOD POINT

Jul 25, 2017 09:28am

@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani ,
Sad to read this after every bad event. Takes away any hope that pakistan public will revolt against all forms of terrorism. ( And the world joins them)

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prafulla

Jul 25, 2017 09:32am

@Amir Do you feel it is possible now?

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prafulla

Jul 25, 2017 09:33am

@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Exactly.

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Mohd Azhar Ali

Jul 25, 2017 09:43am

When this menace of terrorism ends? When people will live peacefully in this country? Any decisive action from Government? So many question but no answers. Still innocent citizens are killed.

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KUL DEEP

Jul 25, 2017 12:32pm

@Faizan Tariq

I admire you for accepting the truth brother.

Pakistan should put its priorities first rather than fighting wars if superpowers .

and be a Pakistan of pre eighties era when it was going great in all fields .

Regards from across the border.

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Nasir - UK

Jul 25, 2017 01:43pm

Our Government can not protect its citizens when it is busy saving itseft from whatever.

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Nasir - UK

Jul 25, 2017 02:15pm

Sadly ordinary people are killed for no fault of their own. Why? The killers have lost all sense of humanity, barberity prevails in Pakistan - pak sar zameen where the cries of the victims families go unheard. The PM offered millions to the cricket winners, now what about the loser families of the aftermath of blasts like these. Any finacial support available to these victims? May the dead RIP.

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Wahab

Jul 25, 2017 03:09pm

How many more condemnable attacks! high time the government stops allying with extremists.

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fawad shah

Jul 25, 2017 03:34pm

rip.........This is bound to happen if we play this double game. There are not good or bad terrorrists. They are simply bad !!